Binomial Expansion

1.
Find the first three terms in the expansion of in ascending powers of x, and state
the set of values for which this expansion is valid.
[5]

2.

i. Show that for small values of x.

[2]

ii. Use this result, together with a suitable value of x, to obtain a decimal estimate of the value

of .

[4]

iii. Show that . Hence find the first three terms of the binomial
expansion of

.
iv. Comment on the suitability of substituting the same value of x as used in part (ii) in the

expansion in part (iii) to estimate the value of .

[1]

3.
i. Find the first three terms in the expansion of in ascending powers of x, where
.

[3]

ii. Hence find the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of .

[2]

4.
i. Find the first three terms in the binomial expansion of in ascending powers of
x.

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 Binomial Expansion
[4]

ii. State the set of values of x for which this expansion is valid.

[1]

5. (a)
Find the first three terms in the expansion of in ascending powers of x. [3]

(b)
Given that the expansion of is

find the possible values of p and q. [5]

6. (a) [3]
Find the first three terms in the expansion of in ascending powers of x.

(b) Obtain an estimate of by substituting x = 0.04 into your answer to part (a). [3]
(c) Explain why using x = 1 in the expansion would not give a valid estimate of [1]

7. Find the first three terms in ascending powers of x in the binomial expansion of
(i) [3]

State the range of values for which this expansion is valid. [1]
(ii)

8. (a) [4]
Find the first three terms in the expansion of in ascending powers of x.

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 Binomial Expansion

(b) [3]
The expansion of is 16 – x … . Find the values of the constants a and b.

9.
(a) Find the coefficient of x4 in the expansion of (3x – 2)10. [2]

(b) In the expansion of (1 + 2x)n , where n is a positive integer, the coefficients of x7 and x8
are equal.
Find the value of n. [3]

(c)
Find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of . [4]

10.

(a) [4]
Expand in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x3.

(b) [3]

Hence expand in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in

x3.

(c) Determine the range of values of x for which the expansion in part (b) is valid. [2]

END OF QUESTION paper

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 Binomial Expansion

Mark scheme
Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

1 The first 3 marks refer to the expansion… ……….

and to no

other expansion

B1 is not an equiv
Allow any equiv fraction for the and ISW
fraction

Allow clear evidence of intention, e.g.

M1

A1
Allow any equiv fraction for the and ISW

If expansion (a + b)n used, award

Complete expansions ≈ 27 − 72x + 32x 2
A1 cao No equivalents. Ignore any further terms
B1, B1, B1 for 27, − 72x, 32x2

oe Beware, e.g.
B1 condone ≤ instead of <
valid for Examiner's Comments

Most candidates were confident with the binomial

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 Binomial Expansion
expansion and were able to change
into a suitable form for expansion. Common errors in
the expansion included careless simplification of the x2
term (often because of cramped writing) and
multiplication of this expansion by 9 instead of by 27.
A significant number of candidates completely ignored
the request for the validity.

Total 5

As result is given, this expansion must be shown and For alternative methods such as expanding (1− x)3
oe;
2 i M1 then simplified. It must not just be stated as 1+ 3x + 6x 2
and multiplying by x + 3x2 + 6x3 or using long
+… division, consult TL
accept 3x for −3.− x & / or − x2 or (x)2 for (− x)2

i multiplication by x to produce AG (Answer Given) A1

Examiner's Comments

The required relationship had been given so, as with all

i such similar questions, the solutions were examined
closely to see, firstly, if the method of expansion was
known and, secondly, how accurately it was carried out.
Any slight error in accuracy was penalised.

ii Clear indication that x = 0.1 is to be substituted M1 e.g. 0.1+ 3(0.1)2 + 6(0.1)3 stated Calculator value → M0

ii (estimated value is) 0.1+ 3(0.1)2 + 6(0.1)3 = 0.136 A1 (0.13717… is calculator value of )

Examiner's Comments

ii It was not immediately obvious just what the suitable

value of x was, but a fair number obtained x = 0.1 and
substituted into the given expansion.

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 Binomial Expansion
Sight

of

iii B1

or equivalent

iii Complete satisfactory explanation (no reference to style) www B1 (Answer Given)

Simplified expansion may be quoted - it may have

iii M1 come from result in part (i).
Answer for this expansion is not AG.

iii A1

Examiner's Comments

The required given identity was not difficult to prove, but

iii most made heavy weather of it; simple stages, showing

how and the

negative sign were produced, were needed. Whether

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 Binomial Expansion
the identity had or had not been proved, it could then
be used to produce the required expansion.

Must say “Not suitable” and one of following:

This B1 is dep on x = 0.1 used in (ii).

iv B1 Realistic reason
Either: requires ,
Or

which is not true if x = 0.1

Or: substitution of positive / small value of x in the expansion gives a If choice given, do not ignore incorrect comments,
iv Or “it gives - 63100”
negative / large value (which cannot be an approximation to 100/729). but ignore irrelevant / unhelpful ones

Examiner's Comments

A simple explanation was required indicating why the

value of x used in part (ii) would be unsuitable if used

iv with the expansion in part (iii). Accepted reasons

included the fact that −63100 would be the result or
that the substitution of a positive/small value of x would
give a negative/large value, which could not be an

approximation to .

Total 9

B1 first two terms

allow recovery from omission of brackets
3 i
do not allow 2x2 unless fully recovered in answer
B1 third term

i B1

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 Binomial Expansion
ii M1

or B2 www in either part

Examiner's Comments

may be embedded (eg 5.5x2 alone or in

ii coefficient is 5.5 oe A1 This was very well done by nearly all candidates. A few
expansion)
candidates made a sign error with the first term, and
some omitted “2” in part (i). Most gained at least the
method mark in part (ii), although a few tried division
instead of multiplication.

Total 5

4 i B1 may be embedded

i M1 ignore extra terms

i M1 or better

where k is an integer greater than 1

Examiner's Comments

i A1 This was very well-done, with most candidates scoring

cao at least three out of four marks. A few had difficulty
dealing with 8⅔ and some made sign errors.

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 Binomial Expansion
Examiner's Comments

ii
isw B1 Many careless slips were seen, such as x < 8/9 and
│x│ < − 8/9 but the correct answer was seen in the full
cao range of scripts.

Total 5

B1(AO 1.1)
Obtain

M1(AO1.1)
5 a Attempt the x2
A1(AO1.1) term at least in
the form
Obtain [3] Must be 6
C2kx2
simplified

M1(AO 3.1a)
Expand (1+ qx)
and their

and compare
M1(AO3.1a) coefficients

Obtain two
b
equations
in p and q
and show
M1(AO1.1) evidence of
substitution
for p or q
2 p2 − 3 p − 2 = 0 A1(AO1.1)
to obtain Or 18q2 − 27q + 7
an
A1FT(AO1.1)

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 Binomial Expansion
equation in =0
p = 2 or
[5]
one Solve their
variable quadratic
Solve a 3
term
quadratic
equation in with indication of
a single correct pairings
variable.

Obtain any
two values

Obtain all 4
values, or
FT their p
and (*)

Total 8

Obtain 1 + x
B1(AO1.1)
Terms must
M1(AO1.1a) Attempt third
be simplified
6 a A1(AO1.1) term
for
B / A marks
[3] Obtain correct
third term

M1(AO2.1)
Substitute 0.04
throughout Need
b as well
M1(AO3.1a)

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 Binomial Expansion
A1(AO1.1)
Rearrange
[3]

Obtain 1.73 or
better Must see
method

E1(AO2.3) Explanation
c
Expansion is only valid for
must be
[1] specific

Total 7

1 + 2x
B1 if M0 allow
SC1 for
allow bracket 1 + 4x – 8x2
M1 error
7 i
ignore extra
oe soi
terms
A1

1 + 2x – 6x2 cao [3] Examiner’s Comments

This proved accessible to nearly all candidates, with

most scoring full marks. A few made arithmetical slips,
and a few used the wrong index: –4 and ½ were the
usual errors.

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 Binomial Expansion

Examiner’s Comments
ii B1
valid for oe
Although largely well done, this did cause some
[1]
problems. Common mistakes were to omit one tail of

the inequality or to write

Occasionally│x│< 8 was seen.

Total 4

B1
Obtain correct Allow
(AO 1.1)
first two terms unsimplified
M1
coeffs
(AO 1.1a)
Attempt third
term in Product of
expansion of attempt at
binomial
coefficient and

8 a
Allow BOD on
missing
brackets
A1 Allow BOD on
(AO 1.1) missing
Correct third negative sign
B1ft
term in third term
(AO 1.1)

Allow
Correct unsimplified

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 Binomial Expansion
expansion of coeffs

ft as (their
[4]
three term
expansion)
No ISW if
expression
subsequently
spoiled by
attempt to
simplify eg ×
256

Examiner’s Comments

This question was well answered with many fully correct

solutions seen. The most successful solutions made
effective use of brackets to ensure that the relevant
indices were applied to the entire term including the
coefficient of x. Showing clear working allowed partial
credit to be credited for attempting a valid method
should the final answer not be correct.

B1ft
a = 16 and hence a = 32 (AO 3.1a)
Correct value ft their first
of a term from (a)
M1

OR (AO 2.2a) Must be using

b Attempt two relevant
equation products (and
involving b and no others)
a, or their equated to –1
numerical a Allow for

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 Binomial Expansion
attempting
equation – do
not need to
actually
attempt
solution for M1
A1 Allow BOD if
(AO 1.1) muddle
b = –6 between terms
and
coefficients
[3]

Solve to obtain A0 for –6x

b = –6 unless
subsequently
corrected

Examiner’s Comments

This part of the question was also very well answered.

Most candidates appreciated the connection with the
previous part of the question, and equated coefficients
to find the values of a and b. An alternative method was
to cross-multiply and then square both sides before
equating coefficients, and this was usually equally
successful.

Total 7

C4 × 34 × (–2)6 oe
10 M1 (AO1.1a)
9 a A1 (AO1.1)
= 1088640 [2]
BC

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 Binomial Expansion

M1 (AO3.1a)

Correctly
b M1 (AO1.1a)
8 = (n – 7) × 2 obtaining at
A1 (AO1.1)
least two of
[3]
8, (n – 7) and
n = 11 2

M1 for
M1 (AO1.1a)

M1 (AO1.1)

M1 for
A1FT
c (AO1.1)
follow through
their ‘k’

A1 (AO1.1)
[4]
= oe or –0.00244 (3 sf)
cao BC

Total 9

B1 (AO 1.1)
Obtain correct Must be
first two terms simplified
M1 (AO 1.1a)

10 a Attempt at least
A1(AO 1.1)
one more term
A1 (AO 1.1)
[4]

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 Binomial Expansion
Obtain correct
third term Must be
Obtain correct simplified
fourth term
Must be
simplified

Correct
(1 + 9x2)−1 = 1 − 9x2 B1 (AO 3.1a) expansion soi
M1 (AO 1.1a) Attempt
expansion
b
A1FT (AO 1.1)

[3] Obtain correct FT their (i) –

expansion must be 4 terms

At least one
M1 (AO 1.1) correct
oe
condition seen

c
A1 (AO 2.3)
Correct
hence conclusion, from
oe
[2] both correct
conditions

Total 9

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